Miami's Washington routs Carol City

MIAMI — After smashing Killian (Miami) 48-0 last week, the Washington (Miami) football program knew it needed to get through crosstown foe Carol City (Miami) in week 2 to be considered as a contender once again in Miami-Dade County.

On Friday, the Tornadoes (2-0) gave spectators many reasons why they should be considered as such after defeating the Chiefs 28-12 at Traz Powell Stadium. Quarterback Jeremiah Hay led the charge for Washington after rushing for two touchdowns, while passing for another.

Hay, a senior, led Washington to a 15-6 halftime lead after rushing for an 11-yard touchdown, then successfully completed the two-point conversion with a pass to receiver Dedric Dukes. In the third quarter, Hay extended the margin, 21-6, scoring on a 1-yard run. After scoring 14 unanswered points, Hay put the finishing touches on the win with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Dukes in the fourth quarter. Dukes, draped by defensive backs, made a sensational catch amidst a group of physical Carol City defenders to help put it away.

The Chiefs (0-2) tried to make a late push when Darnell Butler caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Akeem Jones following the Dukes catch, but the push was a little too late as the Tornadoes wrapped up their second consecutive win of the season. The Chiefs have a bye week and don't play again until their district contest against North Miami on Sept. 24th.

On its quest for a Class 3A state title, The Tornadoes still have some big games against Northwestern on Oct. 2 and district rival Jackson on Oct. 22, both at Traz Powell. Jackson is an up-and-coming young program throughout the region, while the Bulls remain amongst the elite.

BLUE CHIP RECRUIT GETS CHIPPED
Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) tight end Nick O'Leary was suspended for two games by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) for what seemed to be an obscene hand gesture after the 26-22 loss to Glenville (Ohio) on national television at the Kirk Herbstreit Kickoff Classic in Ohio.

Emotions ran high at the end of the contest as a result of what looked like a controversial call by the referees that could have given Dwyer the win.

O'Leary, a senior and widely considered as the nation's top tight end, had a remarkable game catching nine passes for 152 yards and a touchdown but could not control his emotions in the end. His act, which is being appealed by the school, could cost the Panthers a chance of defending their Class 4A state championship as they have a big matchup against state-power Pahokee on Sept. 17.

SOPHOMORE SAVES THE DAY FOR DILLARD
Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) tailback Dre' Sean Nelson scored the lone touchdown for the Panthers in a 7-0 win over Deerfield Beach on Friday. Nelson, a sophomore, finished the game with 113 yards on 16 carries along with the score. Nelson rushed for 96 yards in the first half and split time with Otis Wright in the second half. Wright, normally the starter, was sidelined by the team for the first half for disciplinary reasons.

SOUTH REGIONAL ALUMS CONTINUE SUCCESS AT NEXT LEVEL
After being a part of this segment's first installment last week for setting the single-game quarterback rushing record for Michigan, sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson made sure he was recognized back home in Week 2. Robinson, a former Deerfield Beach standout, led the Wolverines to an electrifying 28-24 victory at Notre Dame on Saturday.

The former Buck accounted for a school-record 502 yards of offense for Michigan, rushing for 258 yards and two touchdowns, while passing for 244 yards and a score. In two games, Robinson has amassed over 900 yards of total offense for the Wolverines and could possibly hear his name in Heisman discussions across the nation.

West Virginia sophomore quarterback Geno Smith made his second career start and was spectacular after leading his team to a 24-21 overtime win against Marshall on Saturday. Smith, a former Miramar Patriot standout, led the Mountaineers, who were down by 15 points in the fourth quarter, from their own 2-yard line to cap a 15-play, 98-yard drive with a 5-yard pass to receiver Will Johnson. Then the super sophomore connected with receiver Jock Sanders in the back of the end zone on the 2-point conversion to tie the game 21-21 with 12 seconds left. Smith completed 32 of 45 passes for 316 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore receiver Stedman Bailey, also a former Miramar Patriot, had a solid game for West Virginia catching five passes for 72 yards.

TIP AWARD
This week's top individual performance award goes to University (Fort Lauderdale) senior quarterback Doug Cooke. Cooke led the Suns to a 47-22 win over North Broward Prep after completing 23 of 34 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 70 yards and a score.

WEEK 2 TOP PERFORMERS
* Orville Reynolds, RB, Douglas (Parkland) — Reynolds rushed for 238 yards on 17 carries with three touchdowns in a 20-13 win over Coral Glades.

* Corey Tindal, RB, Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes) — Tindal scored four rushing touchdowns and finished with 120 yards on 13 carries in a 34-25 win over Northeast.

* Dominick Gregg, RB/LB, Ransom Everglades (Miami) — Gregg rushed for 120 yards and three touchdowns, while recording nine tackles on defense in a 36-0 win over Palmer Trinity.

* Tacoi Sumler, WR, Columbus (Miami) — Sumler, an Oregon verbal commit, caught four passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-16 over Belen. Sumler is arguably the fastest player in the country after clocking a 4.2 in the 40-yard dash earlier this summer.

* Quinton Flowers, QB, Jackson (Miami) — Flowers, a freshman, led the Generals to a 22-16 win over Krop after completing 10 of 15 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns.

* Denzel Wimberly and Tim Burton, RBs, Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) — Wimberly rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns, while Burton rushed for 100 yards and two more to lead Gibbons to a 35-21 win over Hollywood Hills.

* Sony Michel, RB, American Heritage (Plantation) — Michel, a freshman, ran for 161 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown in a 35-20 loss to Pasco.